Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Asda

M&S Christmas TV ad campaign stars Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Helena Bonham Carter

Marks & Spencer will unveil its multi-million pound Christmas TV ad campaign this week.

The cast includes Helena Bonham Carter and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, The Daily Mail reported.

The ad is be unveiled to the media in a gala screening on Wednesday and will be screened on prime-time ITV on November 6. It has an all-British cast including model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and male model of the moment David Gandy, alongside actress Helena Bonham Carter, in her first ever appearance for the brand.

Tesco plans click-and-collect service launch in Thailand

Tesco intends to launch a click-and-collect service at its hypermarket in Bangkok’s Ramindra, Thailand, as it steps up its efforts to be the world’s leading multichannel grocer, The Telegraph reported.

The click-and-collect service allows shoppers to collect their online food orders from supermarkets. This will be the first time that a retailer will open the service in Asia. In addition to launching a click-and-collect service, Tesco plans expansion of its online grocery offer outside Bangkok, to Chiang Mai and Pattaya.

Sainsbury’s overtakes Asda to be second-largest UK supermarket

Sainsbury’s has overtaken Asda to be the second-biggest supermarket in the UK for the first time in ten years, according to a study by Nielsen.

The new data caps an impressive run of 35 straight quarters of growth for Sainsbury’s, while Asda by comparison has struggled to keep up with its lack of convenience outlets and being tainted by the horsemeat scandal.

In the 12 weeks to October 13, Sainsbury’s market share grew to 16.6% from 16.4% compared with the same period a year ago, while Asda declined to 16.4% from 16.7%. During the period, Tesco’s market share also tumbled to 29.5% from 30.1%.

Carphone Warehouse unveils Avoca 7 Android tablet for £49

Carphone Warehouse has introduced Avoca 7 Android tablet.

The 7-inch Avoca 7 tablet features a built-in eBook reader, a 0.3-Megapixel front-facing camera for video calls, supports Wi-Fi, and audio connections.

Usually priced at £99, the tablet is available for less than half price at £49 during the lead up to Christmas, while stocks last, The Telegraph reported. The news comes after Argos launched a 7-inch tablet for £99.99. Both devices will compete against Tesco’s £119 Hudl tablet.

Official ‘spooks-people’ appointed by Asda Alloa

Asda Alloa has appointed official ‘spooks-people’ to tackle the demand for Halloween advice from consumers. The Alloa outlet will have its own spooks-person who will be clearly visible in spooky attire and on hand to help consumers look for what they are after for their ghoulish gatherings.

The spooks-people will be replacing Asda’s go-getters for the Halloween period and will be on hand to help customers with any Halloween item, The Alloa Advertiser reports.

To celebrate, store cafes are also providing children with the opportunity to design their own monsters in a drawing design competition, with the winning monster being introduced as a new character for Halloween 2014.